The Importance of Reading and Editing

I have recently realized two very important things when it comes to being a creative writer, even as one who has only self-published one book that falls under my favorable but critical eye. I have talked a lot on this blog, from time to time, about YouTubers and how much they have influenced me. And while YouTubers still continue to be a great source of fellowship, inspiration, and entertainment in these sad lockdown days (or what remains of them,) I am learning how necessary it is for writers to read.

They say one must read in order to write well, and I’ve been realizing really how true it is. In other words, lately I have had evenings where I am videoed out. I’m tired of watching videos. I don’t want to watch any, I want to read a book or a story of some kind, but I’m so in the habit of watching videos that I do it anyway, with a somewhat unfulfilled feeling in its wake.

Then I go to edit my current work-in-progress. How do I change or add a sentence for the better? I begin typing in what sounds like one of the Internet blogs I write for a living. “This sounds more like an article than a book,” I sense in dissatisfaction. How does a book sound? I realize that not reading fiction books of any kind will take away some sense of artistry in me.

My editing continues nevertheless, though I still need a good fiction book to get into. (I have plenty of classics around.) How important is editing, really, though? Well, this meme basically did me in.

Writing IS editing. Like working on a painting for days or months or a weaver at the loom, writers work on their creations day after day until they are fully formed. It takes an objective, hard look at the words and form, and one must always ask what is off, what makes sense, and whether they would like to read it or not as the reader. I hope you find this meme as helpful as it is for me!